Although reverse osmosis systems offer gold standards for water purification, they don’t have to be expensive. And as we all know, expensive doesn’t necessarily translate to high-quality!
Even when working on a tight budget, we believe that you can still go home with a system that will help you get clean, safe and healthy water for your family.
In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best cheap reverse osmosis systems you can find on the market. We’ll help you get a good RO system without having to break the bank.
Keep on reading to get the right fit for your household.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Picks
- Best Overall: Whirlpool WHER25
A 3-stage under sink RO system that is NSF certified, removes 1000+ water contaminants, has an EZ change indicator light, produces 18.46 gallons of pure water per day, has a drain ratio of 4:1, measures 4.7 x 12.2 x 13 inches, weighs 13.02 pounds and is easy to install.
- Best Tankless: Waterdrop WD-G2-B
This system filters water in 5 stages, removes 99% toxins from the water, has a daily output of 400 gallons, a filtered to waste water ratio of 1:1, has a filter life indicator, a lead-free brushed nickel faucet, measures 17.33 x 5.91 x 13.98 inches, weighs 25.85 pounds and is supported by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- Best with Remineralization: iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage
A 6-stage under sink RO system that produces 75 gallons of water daily, has a drain ratio of 3:1, a reinforced transparent 1st stage housing, comes with a remineralization filter, lead-free brushed nickel faucet, measures 15.5 x 5.1 x 19.5 inches, weighs 20 pounds, is easy to install and backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- Best Budget : Express Water ROD5X
The system filters water in 5 stages, removes 99.99% of water impurities, has a deluxe chrome faucet, is NSF certified, has a daily output of 50 gallons, comes with long-lasting double-sealed filters, measures 16.18 x 18.75 x 18.06 inches, weighs 11.08 pounds and is easy to install.
- Best 5-Stage: APEC ROES-50 5-Stage
An under sink system that removes 99% of toxins from water, uses premium long-lasting filters, is leak-free, produces 50 gallons of water daily, has a pure to waste water ratio of 1:3, is WQA certified, comes with a lead-free designer faucet, JG food-grade tubing, measures 16 x 5.25 x 17.5 inches, weighs 25 pounds and is easy to install.
Choosing the Best Cheap Reverse Osmosis System
1. Best Overall: Whirlpool WHER25 Reverse Osmosis System
The Whirlpool WHER25 is a 3-stage RO system tested and certified against NSF 42 & 43 to deliver better than bottled water quality at the kitchen sink faucet.
It is designed to remove harmful contaminants from the water like sediment, chemicals, lead, and other total dissolved solids.
The system’s sediment pre-filter (WHEERF) eliminates large sediment like sand, silt, rust, and salt from water in the 1st filtration stage. Such particles can shorten the lifespan of the RO membrane.
The pre-filter requires changing every 6 months.
In the 2nd stage, the reverse osmosis membrane (WHEERM) removes the most stubborn contaminants from the water, including 99.1% lead, 98.2% arsenic, 99.99% cysts, 75.5% nitrates, 77% chromium, etc.
The membranes require changing every 2 years.
An activated carbon post-filter removes any residual tastes and odors from the water in the final stage. It makes the water fresh and great-tasting.
The system features an EZ-Change light indicator that reminds you to change the filter. And thanks to the Ultra-ease filter replacement filter design, changing the filters is a breeze.
It comes with a dedicated faucet, which you have to connect to the unit when setting it up. Note that you can’t connect the system to a standard kitchen sink faucet.
The WHER25 may not work for you if you have a large family since it only produces up to 18.46 gallons of water per day.
It has a filtered to waste water ratio of 1:4, hence relatively efficient. Its waste water production rate is actually in line with most systems that don’t use a pump.
The unit is compact at 4.7 x 12.2 x 13 inches, lightweight, easy to install, and easy to maintain as well.
Pros
- The unit’s filters are easy to change
- Compact and space-saving
- Easy to install and maintain
- It has a filter life indicator
- Is NSF certified
Cons
- Low output
- It wastes a lot of water
2. Best Tankless: Waterdrop WD-G2-B Reverse Osmosis System
Waterdrop reverse osmosis systems come in a sleek under sink design to match any modern kitchen. Compared to traditional models, Waterdrop systems are more reliable and efficient.
The G2 filters water in 5 stages and uses a composite filter to get rid of sediment, large particles, rust, chlorine, bad tastes, and odor from the water.
A TORAY-Brand RO membrane removes 99% of toxins from your water, including fluoride, chlorine, detergents, chloramine, pesticides, sulfates, lead, and arsenic making it clean and safe.
Although an older model, this unit still gets a high water flow rate of 400 gallons per day. It also has a low drain ratio of 1:1, meaning that it operates efficiently with less water waste.
It lets you fill a cup of water within 12 seconds.
Thanks to the advanced integrated design of the unit’s electrical and water circuit, you’ll experience zero to minimal leakage when using the G2.
The system’s airtight housing reduces noise, and the process of installing and replacing the filters is more convenient than with other models.
Its filter life indicator notifies you when it’s time to change the filters, while a lead-free brushed nickel faucet gives you quick access to clean water throughout the day.
Pros
- It comes in a lightweight and compact design
- Offers superior filtration performance
- Has long-lasting filters
- Produces 400 gallons of water per day
- Low drain ratio of 1:1
- Convenient installation and replacement of filters
- Supported by a 1-year warranty
Cons
- No remineralization
- Doesn’t come with all installation tools
3. Best with Remineralization: iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System
The iSpring RCC7AK is a 6-stage RO system whose main selling points are its cost and alkaline filter. It is reasonably priced and represents excellent value for a 6-stage RO system.
It has three pre-filters: the PP sediment filter, the GAC (carbon KDF) filter, and the carbon block filter removes large particles while protecting the RO membrane from damage.
The reverse osmosis membrane removes contaminants to 0.0001 in the 4th stage, while the granular activated carbon filter removes any lingering tastes and odor in the 5th stage.
In the final stage, an alkaline remineralization filter adds healthy minerals to the RO water raising its pH and giving it a crisp, clear taste.
This unit has a daily output of 75 gallons, which is enough capacity for small to medium-sized households. Its drain ratio is 3:1, meaning that for every gallon of water produced, 3 gallons go down the drain.
A cool feature in the RCC7AK Is the reinforced transparent 1st stage housing that allows you to view the contaminants removed from the system. Thanks to this housing, you can always tell when it’s time to change the filters.
The system is designed for easy DIY installation and comes with all the necessary parts for easy setup. A clear manual and instructional videos also back it to help you complete the task faster.
It comes with a 3.2-gallon pressurized tank that stores the water waiting use, has a lead-free brushed nickel faucet, is NSF 58/ANSI certified, and is supported by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- Has a remineralization filter
- Filters 75 gallons of water per day
- Produces great-tasting water
- Ideal for medium-sized households
- Comes with all components for easy DIY installation
- Is NSF certified
- Is supported by a 1-year manufacturer limited warranty
Cons
- Short filter life
- Wastes 3 gallons of water to produce one gallon
4. Best Budget: Express Water RO5DX Reverse Osmosis System
The RO5DX is a 5-stage under-sink RO system that reduces 99.99% of 158 impurities and TDS from water. It is NSF certified to reduce heavy metals, fluoride, chemical disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, nitrates, volatile organic compounds, and semi-volatile.
In the 1st stage, the RO5DX uses a sediment filter to get rid of dirt, dust, rust, and sand.
In the 2nd and 3rd stages, the unit uses the granular activated carbon and carbon block filters respectively to eliminate pollutants like odor-causing compounds, chlorine, and volatile organic chemicals.
The early stages help extend the life of the reverse osmosis membrane, which focuses on the most challenging impurities like lead, arsenic, and chromium in stage 4.
The 5th stage is an activated carbon filter, which refreshes your water by removing residual tastes and odors right before it comes out through the faucet.
It’s the combination of all these stages that gives you water that is purer than bottled water from the comfort of your home.
The system features a deluxe chrome faucet with a brass waterway and has a fast water flow rate of 0.8 gallons per minute. It can produce up to 50 gallons of filtered water per day.
The system has a leak stop valve that shuts off automatically once excess water is detected to prevent leaks.
The RO5DX filter changes are quick and easy, thanks to the simple design and clear labels. The pre and post-filters require replacement twice a year and the reverse osmosis once per year.
Each filter is double sealed for the best filtration efficiency and value.
Pros
- Features an easy-to-understand under-sink design
- Removes up to 99.99% of contaminants from water
- Is NSF certified
- Has an emergency leak stop valve
- Filter changes are quick and easy
- Has double-sealed filters for filtration efficiency
Cons
- No remineralization
- Low-pressure output
5. Best 5-Stage: APEC ROES-50 5-Stage RO System
Last on the list is the ROES-50, an under-sink RO system that filters water in 5 stages. It’s designed and assembled in the US to guarantee water safety and purity.
The system features premium, long-lasting filters that eliminate up to 99% of contaminants like VOCs, chlorine, lead, heavy metals, arsenic, and 1000+ other pollutants.
The ROES-50 comes with a 100% lead-free designer faucet for quick and pure water delivery. It also boasts certified JG food-grade tubing and parts to offer contamination-free water.
It has a daily output of 50 gallons, suitable for a small family, and a pure to waste water ratio of 1:3, thus relatively efficient. It’s ideal for tap and well water and requires 40 to 85 psi feed water pressure.
The unit features high-quality stainless steel teeth for a firm grip to prevent leaks. No extra clipping parts or leak detector is required.
The ROES-50 comes with all components and the industry’s best instructions and videos for easy DIY installation.
The system works noise-free, is WQA certified, and is supported by a 2-year manufacturer warranty upon registration.
Pros
- Removes 99% of impurities from water
- Is WQA certified
- Has JG food-grade tubing for pure water
- Has premium, long-lasting filters
- It is easy to install
- Operates quietly
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- No remineralization
- Wastes a lot of water
Final Verdict
All systems listed are reasonably priced, proving that you don’t have to spend more than your budget to get an excellent Reverse osmosis system.
You just need to go through the unit’s features to determine whether it’ll work for your situation or not.
Does it eliminate all contaminants? Is it easy to install? How long do the filters last? Is it leak-free? Is it too loud? What’s the flow rate? These are some of the questions you need to answer before you pay for the unit.
Once you get all the boxes ticked, you can pay for the RO system.